5 of the World’s Weirdest Theme Parks

The world’s oldest amusement park that’s still operating opened in 1583. And since then the human desire for the wonderful, the hair-raising and the just plain weird has only grown stronger.

So picking just five of the world’s weirdest theme parks was a tough call.

South Korea boasts the world’s first and only toilet theme park, set around the lavatory-shaped home of World Toilet Association founder Sim Jae-Duck; Blighty supports an impressive four Diggerlands; while the French have a Napoleonland in the works.

But, at least until Kentucky Creationists open their Ark Encounter theme park, these five stand out from the crowd.

BONBON LAND, DENMARK

The Tortoise at BonBon Land (Credit: bonbonland.dk)

When a sweet manufacturer’s bestselling treat is called the Dog Fart, and then they open a theme park, you can expect something pretty, umm, special.

KINGS CITY, ISRAEL

One of many bizarre things about Israel’s Red Sea resort town, Eilat, is that pretty much every building of any size seems to include the name Solomon, David or – because he wasn’t all bad, you know – Herod.

So what better place to put a theme park dedicated to the Old Testament and its kings?

King Solomon is clearly the star of the Biblical-themed Kings City. An interactive puzzle zone pays tribute to his famous wisdom, while King Solomon’s Falls tell his life story by that traditional Biblical method of, umm, a flume.

Only a very close reading of the Bible could link the man who slew Goliath to a set of transparent tube slides – but Kings City manages it, in the form of David’s Winding Slides.

King Herod is, sadly, missing in action.

LOVELAND, KOREA

Too scared to stay in one of Korea’s many love hotels? Then Jeju Island’s Loveland is for you.

Park mascots Bulkkeuni, a bullish phallus with yellow mittens and red shoes, and Ssaekkeuni, labia topped with a ladylike floppy hat and lavender gloves, greet you on, umm, entrance. Penetrating deeper into the park, the ladies’ loos put the “knob” into doorknob, while the men’s come equipped with breasts.

Statues at JeJu Loveland (Credit: Whyyan via Flickr.com)

Exhibits range from the rubbish to the utterly bewildering by way of the seriously unnerving, from Claymation mockups of sex in the traditional Korean home through to a disturbingly large green hand playing with a tiny glitter orifice and a range of graphic and athletic sculptures.

Definitely one for the family album.

DOLLYWOOD, USA

Already a theme park when top-heavy First Lady of CountryTM Dolly Parton put her name to it in the 80s, Dollywood boasts a genuinely impressive range of rollercoasters, including the USA’s first wing coaster, plus flumes, rapids and much, much more.

Yet if it’s your fondness for Jolene that has brought you to Pigeon Forge, Tennesseee, there is plenty for the diehard Dollyphile.

Explore Ms Parton’s tour bus, admire her awards, dresses and – yes!!! – wigs, explore a replica of the two-room house where Dolly and all of her eleven siblings grew up, and watch a regular country hoedown.

Dolly Parton exhibition at Dollywood

Or just come for the annual Dolly’s Homecoming Parade, led by Ms Parton on a float, an event that sends Tennessee’s drag queens into ecstasies of blonde.

TOURISM LANDMARK OF THE RESISTANCE, LEBANON

Hezbollahland, an, erm, alternative theme park

Hezbollah may be listed on the US State Department’s roster of international terrorist organisations, but in Lebanon it’s a fixture of the political landscape.

And the snappily named Tourism Landmark of the Resistance, better known as Hezbollahland, commemorates Hezbollah, its martyrs and the struggle against Israel – the perfect respite when you’ve had enough of Lebanon’s many waxworks.

Marvel at recreated martyrdom brigades; race through underground bunkers; listen to the inspirational speeches of Hezbollah leaders; admire captured Israeli tanks, helmets and boots, all lovingly arranged in a modern art vein; and pay your respects to fighters who met their union with god.

A close up of conflict and combat at Hezbollahland

When you’re done, don’t forget to pick up a souvenir T-shirt. Particularly if your idea of a good flight home involves a full body cavity search at the airport.

So have you been to any of these strange theme parks? Or maybe you’ve vistied somewhere weirder? Do let us know…

Theodora Sutcliffe is a freelance writer and longterm traveler. She has been dragging her son Zac around the globe since he was a few months old, and the pair have been in perpetual motion since they set out on what was supposed to be a one-year RTW trip in January 2010. She’s visited over 50 countries, more than half of them with her son. You can catch up with Theodora at her blog, EscapeArtistes, or on Facebook, where she spends far too much time.